James F. McKenna Jr.

February 15, 1946 - October 29, 2011

Eulogy - James Francis McKenna, Jr. It seems like we should be here to mourn the loss of Jim, but we all know that he would want us to celebrate the good times. Dad always had the answer to our questions. Except if they were mechanical or technical. He was the master of common sense. The most important lesson that I took from Mom and Dad was to treat people fairly, and that is what he always did. I have NEVER heard anyone say a negative thing about Jim. He was a loyal son, and I could only hope that my children look up to Stacey and myself as much as he looked up to Grandma and Grandpa. Jim and Shirley carried those values right down to Kristen, Amy and I. I feel that in life I have always been surrounded by good people, and that is because my Mother and Father have made that possible. Dad always wanted the best for us. Even if it wasn’t feasible, he made it seem like it was no big deal. He had so much confidence in us, we felt like we were special. He was a good Father, the BEST Father!!! When I think back, I feel nothing but happiness--always a smile, a joke, a good song. Dad had hard times, who doesn’t? He was the first to acknowledge that, but he never dwelled on it. He always made sure everyone around him was OK. There was never a dull moment with Dad, especially when you were sitting shotgun in his car! Almost every conversation with him revolved around humor. I tried to always impress him with a new joke. I knew I had a good one when he would start with that amazing laugh, followed by a slap on the back and then he would start coughing uncontrollably. I would think……maybe that was too good! He had a passion for sports. Some of my fondest memories were simply watching a good game with him. He would get so excited. If I walked into the house and he was sitting on the floor with his legs crossed playing Tetris, I knew there wasn’t a good game on. Man was he good at Tetris. Jim's biggest passion though, were his grandchildren. My kids get so excited when Papa Mac comes to town. They knew that feeding the ducks, trips to the ice cream shop every night and Toys R Us were in their future. Santa Clause has got nothing on Papa Mac in our house. Jim died peacefully in his sleep at home, Saturday Oct. 29. He will be missed by everyone!!!! I love you Dad. --James F. McKenna, III, Son PDF Printable Version